| It is hard to imagine a time when African | | | | Powell will be one of the panelists. The fraternity |
| American students were not fully integrated into | | | | is also pleased to honor CNN senior correspondent |
| collegiate life at mainstream campuses across the | | | | Soledad O'Brien with the Alpha Award of Honor, |
| country. Prior to 1906 and the formation of the | | | | which is the highest honor for a non-fraternity |
| first Black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, | | | | member. The organization will also hold a special |
| Inc., many Black college students were ostracized | | | | screening of O'Brien's much-anticipated series, |
| on all-White campuses and unable to enjoy the | | | | "Black in America." In addition, actor Hill Harper will |
| entire college experience. However, on December | | | | also receive the Alpha Award of Honor for his |
| 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., the | | | | bestselling books, Letters to a Young Brother and |
| Alphas became the first Black fraternity, and laid | | | | Letters to a Young Sister. On July 18th and 19th, |
| the foundation for the other eight Black | | | | they will hold the annual Belford V. Lawson |
| Greek-letter organizations. On July 17, 2008 the | | | | Oratorical Contest tackling the timely question "Is |
| Black fraternity, known for such prestigious | | | | the N-word Really Buried?" More importantly is |
| members as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood | | | | Alpha Phi Alpha's commitment to the younger |
| Marshall and Cornell West will kick off their 102nd | | | | generation. Matthews has called for 10,000 |
| Anniversary Convention in Kansas City, Mo. "This | | | | members to become mentors, to assist in |
| year's convention is certainly going to be an | | | | fundraisers and to serve local Big Brothers Big |
| experience in history in terms of the bold political, | | | | Sisters of America chapters. The Black fraternity |
| social and economic initiatives we will be | | | | will also recognize nearly 20 Kansas City high |
| conducting in Kansas City," says the fraternity's | | | | school students for outstanding scholastic |
| 32nd General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. "In | | | | achievements and community service. And on July |
| keeping with the tradition of the fraternity, Alpha | | | | 21st, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha will host their |
| will leave a positive mark on Kansas City, as we | | | | Project Alpha initiative addressing the dilemma of |
| have been doing for the rest of the nation for | | | | teenage pregnancy, focusing on safe-sex |
| more than a century." The Black fraternity | | | | education and individual responsibility. "During my |
| expects over 5,000 members for the convention | | | | tenure, I strived to continue in the tradition of |
| themed, "Developing Leaders for Service and | | | | which [Alpha Phi Alpha was] founded, to elevate |
| Advocacy," which will feature workshops, business | | | | the conversation, mentality and consciousness of |
| sessions and appearances by Soledad O'Brien, Hill | | | | our Alpha brothers," says Matthews. "We need to |
| Harper, Dr. Randall Pinkett and Alpha member | | | | continue to spark intellectual discourse and be |
| Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO). On the | | | | intentional in our efforts to create, commit and |
| eve of an historical presidential election, Alpha Phi | | | | contribute to the positive well-being of the |
| Alpha will host a town hall forum entitled, | | | | communities in which we represent." |
| "Voteless People is a Hopeless People," on | | | | Todd A. Smith is the publisher of an online |
| Saturday, July 19th. The meeting will discuss | | | | magazine dedicated to issues affecting African |
| important political issues affecting both major | | | | American men. The website tackles such topics |
| party candidates and encourage voter education, | | | | as social and political issues, health, relationships, |
| voter registration and basic civic participation. | | | | business, sports and entertainment. |
| Famed journalist and fraternity member Kevin | | | | |